What is a Web seminar?NCTE Web seminars are interactive, multimedia professional development experiences delivered over the Internet, featuring some of NCTE’s most experienced presenters on topics important to advancing literacy education across K-16 classrooms. Spending a day away from your classroom isn’t always an option, so you can participate in NCTE Web seminars from your office, school, or at home, and learn valuable information as you listen and respond to material delivered by the presenter. We encourage multiple participants at each site.

What is the difference between Live and On Demand?Unable to attend a Web seminar during the scheduled time? On Demand Web seminars provide you the flexibility to extend your professional learning when it is most convenient. On Demand Web seminars are recorded during the actual Live event and include all audio, video, chat discussion, and actions within the presentation. Upon purchasing an On Demand Web seminar, instructions for accessing the recording in your digital locker will be sent out.

Can I earn continuing education credit with NCTE’s Web seminars?All participants in a Live Web seminar will receive an e-mail the day following the event that documents the clock hours earned for participation. We do not offer college credit for the Web seminars. Check with your school to see if they have chosen to provide continuing education credit for participation in these virtual events.

Will there be any handouts before/after the session?Every Web seminar is a little different, but in most cases you will receive book chapters, journal articles, or others materials to read in advance of the seminar.

What time will the Web seminars begin?NCTE Web seminars begin at various times, but in general they begin in the afternoon and last about one hour. Check the description for specific seminars for details.

Do you offer an archive copy?Yes! The archive copy is the same as the On Demand product and can be purchased in the NCTE Store.

How can I complete a program evaluation? How can I do this if I purchased the On Demand Web seminar?All live Web Seminar purchasers receive a link to the survey within 24 hours of the seminar. On Demand purchasers will receive a survey link within a few weeks of the purchase.

Can I participate if I live outside of the US?Absolutely! For no additional cost, you can participate in an NCTE Web seminar as long as you meet the minimum technical requirements listed above.

What if I am registered and I cannot attend the Live event?You will still receive the On Demand recording and materials. If you would like to cancel your registration, you must do this 3 business days before the event and NCTE will credit your account to purchase additional NCTE products within a year of purchase.

Cancellation PolicyIf you cannot participate in the live Web seminar and are not interested in the On Demand recording, please contact NCTE Customer Service three business days prior to the event at 1-877-369-6283 to have your registration fee held on account for a future event within one year of purchase.

Cancellation of a Web SeminarNCTE strives to provide the highest level of quality and we reserve the right to cancel or postpone an event when necessary. If you are registered for an event that is cancelled, the registration fee paid will be held on account for a future event. If during the session there is a technical difficulty that results in the entire session (45 minutes or more) ending prematurely, NCTE will either rebroadcast the seminar for no additional charge or will hold the registration fee on account for a future event.

Refund PolicyNCTE does not refund Web seminar registration fees for any reason including non-participation due to conflicts that arise with a registrant's schedule, failure to test the computer connection prior to the seminar as instructed, or other technical difficulties that are not in the control of NCTE or Blackboard Collaborate. We apologize for this inconvenience, however, all registrants will still receive the On Demand recording.

On Demand Web Seminar Terms of UseYou may not sell, distribute, stream over the Web or otherwise use the On Demand recording, except to share with others at your location only. Please direct other interested viewers to the NCTE Store to purchase their own On Demand copy.

What do Web seminars Cost?NCTE Web seminars are available to NCTE members at a 20% discount. The cost is per site (computer), with an unlimited number of people viewing the session. Your purchase of the Live Web seminar includes the On Demand recording of the session. Fees are $49/member and $99/nonmember.

What is included with my Live Web seminar purchase?Registration in a Live Web seminar presentation includes one “seat” (log-in) to the seminar, any handouts and reading materials, and a recording of the seminar, even if unable to attend the seminar. Registrants will also receive instructions from NCTE and Blackboard Collaborate to prepare their computer site for the seminar. All Live Web seminar registrants should expect to receive the recording within their digital locker within two business days.

How do I purchase a seat in a Live Web seminar?You can purchase a seat in a Live NCTE Web seminar in the NCTE Store in four easy steps: by clicking the “Add to Cart” button; by logging in/creating an account; by adding/confirming your address information; and then by entering your credit card information. You can add multiple Web seminars or adjust the quantity before you complete the transaction. After clicking “charge my credit card,” you will receive a general order confirmation with an order number. Within three days of your registration you will receive more specific information on the Web seminar (s) you purchased, including access information. Access information will be sent multiple times before each event.

What is included with my On Demand Web seminar purchase?The On Demand Web seminar includes a recording of the live presentation along with the PowerPoint presentation and handouts, if applicable. There is no limit to the number of times the recording is utilized, but it may not be duplicated. On Demand Web seminar purchasers will receive the instructions for accessing their digital locker to download the recordings

Can I pay by purchase order?Payment by P.O. is accepted if a copy of the P.O. is received at least three business days in advance of the Web seminar. Fax your P.O. to 217-328-9645 or contact the NCTE Customer Service Department at 1-877-369-6283 to process your P.O.

Can I purchase multiple Web seminars at one time? You can purchase multiple seats to the same Web seminar or single seats to different Web seminars. Do this by adjusting the quantity in your shopping cart or by adding additional Web seminars to your cart as you shop.

With one Web seminar purchase, can I assemble a large group to participate in a Web seminar?Absolutely. Your purchase of a Live Web seminar is for one log-in, but the presentation can be viewed by additional people through use of an LCD or other forms of technology. We encourage additional discussions and other follow-up as a result of the Web seminar.

What is the Web Seminar Platform?NCTE Web seminars use Blackboard Collaborate software, a java-based program. We recommend you check with your system administrator in advance of your FIRST session to ensure your computer is properly set up to run this program. If you don’t have a system administrator, you can check your system online by visiting http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336.

How does the audio work for these Web seminars?The audio for the Web seminar is run through the computer rather than through a phone line. You will need to be sure your computer is equipped with speakers or a head set so you can hear the presenter. A microphone is highly recommended but not required.

How do I access the session?Access to the NCTE Live Web seminar will be made available in the reminders sent once your registration has been processed. Each participant must have Internet access and speakers and/or headphones.

Should the Live Web seminar ask for Username and Password?Access to NCTE Web Seminars is not gained through a username and password but a hyperlink provided to you prior to the seminar. You will, however, be asked to enter the name you registered with. Should you be asked for a username and password, close all browsers and try again.

What if I don’t have a working microphone?You can participate fully in the Web seminar without a microphone as long as you have speakers for the audio. Many participants use the chat area for their interaction, which doesn’t require a microphone.

What if the recording does not play?The recording is saved in a .jar file. This file format should work on Mac and PC's. The .jar file is usually very large and takes several minutes to open. If you are having difficulty with the recording, please visit the Blackboard Collaborate Support website for troubleshooting. Contact NCTE at profdev@ncte.org or 1-877-369-6283 if the problem continues. However, users with Mac OS Snow will not be able to play the .jar files as Blackboard is not yet compatible with that operating system. In addition, Mac users with Safari installed on their machines will not be able to play versions 8.0 or 8.5 from their machines. If you have any questions, contact NCTE.

Not finding what you are looking for? Send an e-mail to profdev@ncte.org with your question!